Improving protection of their turbine blades
The past decade has been abundant in technological advancements in the gas turbine field. Gas turbine technologies on many systems such as evaporative cooling, moisture separation and inlet housing air dynamics have helped to increase temperature-related efficiency caps from 2300°F to 2600°F.
However, GT operators continue to explore the use of different inlet filtration media options to improve protection of their turbine blades and to maintain optimal turbine output efficiency. The most prevalent media in air intake housing cartridges continues to be blended synthetic paper, which unfortunately can be subject to strength deterioration and premature wear in pulse-cleaned filter housings. Progressive strength loss may cause reduced filter efficiency and expose the turbine to increased bypass and, inevitably, the introduction of fouling-causing contaminants. Hence, the need arose for media that would satisfy the initial efficiency and permeability requirements but significantly more resistant to media deterioration than the synthetic paper. Many new systems have been outfitted with 100percent spun bond polyester media in filter cartridges which provided these benefits:
- Longer element life.
- Uncompromised turbine protection.
- Money and time savings on element replacement.
Pulse-cleaned inlet system GT operators still using paper media, may want to look into the 100percent spun bond option.
Enter 32 or at www.engineerlive.com/ipe
Nordic TDC is based in Cicero, IL, USA. www.gtairfilters.com
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